VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –
The Virginia Army National Guard Antiterrorism Program hosted an Antiterrorism Officer Basic Course Aug. 19- 23, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. More than 30 Soldiers and Airmen from the Virginia National Guard, Maine National Guard and New Mexico National Guard, as well as active-duty Soldiers and an Army civilian, attended the weeklong course, which trains students in the roles and responsibilities of an antiterrorism officer.
“The bulk of our students are Virginia Guard Soldiers from the 116th [Infantry Brigade Combat Team],” said Garth MacDonald, Virginia Army National Guard Antiterrorism Program Coordinator. “The training provides trained antiterrorism officers down to battalion level, which is something required by regulation.”
The National Guard Bureau provided funding for many of the students to attend which, according to MacDonald, was critical to attendance numbers.
The course lasted five full days and included practical exercises where students put together what they learned as they moved through the training.
“They will actually do site assessments here at SMR and put all that together in an action plan,” MacDonald explained. “We’ve taken several buildings such as post headquarters, a dining facility and a motor pool for them to assess. We’ll also designate the K spans as an ammunition supply point so the students can do an assessment for something that’s a little more-high risk.”
The course, which concluded with a final comprehensive exam, was taught by three instructors from the U.S. Army Military Police School from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
“They really know the material inside and out,” MacDonald said, lauding the instructors’ expertise and knowledge.
This was the first time in several years the Virginia Guard offered the course, but MacDonald said there are plans to host again next year.